in the picture

Join me in 2012 for {In The Picture}--a community self-portrait journey. Whether you've been taking selfies for years or you've been wanting to try self-portraiture but need a little push, this no pressure, self-paced, play-when-you-want project may be the one for you!

This is a self-portrait project, which means all photos must contain some part of you. Show as much or as little of yourself as you want, but give us something, even if it's only your feet.

It should go without saying, but all photos must be taken by you and only you! Arms length, reflections, tripods, self-timers, remote controls...heck, even prop your camera up on a pile of books. I've tried it all.

This project is free! I only ask that you share some of your selfies here on my blog on the last Friday of each month when I provide a link-up, and add them to our flickr pool.

I'll start in January 2012 and run the project over the course of the entire year, but you can take as many or as few self-portraits as you want. You can join at any time, and come and go as you please.

What's your number? That one is up to you. In 2011 I did 52 selfies in 52 weeks and I think I'll try that again this year. If you're turning 30 this year, maybe that's the number for you. If it's your 10th anniversary, 10 could be your calling. Or perhaps you'll want to aim for once a month. If you've never taken a selfie before and your goal this year is to take just one, I'd love to have you join us here too.

{the schedule}

On the first Friday of each month I'll post an optional theme here on the blog. You can take a self-portrait inspired by the theme or do something completely different, it's up to you.

On the last Friday of each month I'll host a linky party here on the blog. The linky will stay open for one week and you can link up to a blog post or flickr photo to share your work. I hope you'll all use this opportunity to visit other participants and cheer each other on!

On the Fridays in between I'll occasionally post an interview with a self-portrait photographer (I've got some lined up already) or share some tips that I found helpful when starting out with self-portraiture.

I know that some of you are planning to take more than one selfie a month. You can link up your favorite here when I host the linky party, and add the rest to our ongoing flickr pool.

I'll always keep a link to the most recent theme post and linky party at the top of this page for easy access.

I'll also tweet my blog posts about the project if it's easier for you to stay in the loop that way.

Thanks so much to those of you who have already expressed an interest in joining this project--I think there are almost 100 of us so far! If you think you might be interested leave a comment below (and an email address if you don't have one in your profile and you want to receive occasional updates).

Isn't it time you got "In The Picture?" Our next linky party will be on October 26...in the meantime, feel free to grab a button and tell your friends!

I am liking the idea of a selfie photo group. In the last few months I have joined a couple different groups and it has really helped me develop my skills.When I started my blog last year I decided not to include pics of my kids faces for safety concerns, and stumbled upon the art of little body shots, but never of myself, probably cuz my body is not as little or cute.Talk to you in the New Year.My email:leahbeecher (at) yahoo (dot) com

I am 52 too - so it makes perfect sense. I have been toying with the idea of selfies for a while now, but I am afraid of....something. This group however sounds like the support and energy I need to do it - so in I am!

I've decided that "THIS IS MY YEAR" - so a selfie project sounds good. Nervous - I've never done selfies, but excited to learn! We'll have to see about the 52...sounds do-able as I sit here watching snow fall, but when life cranks up, who knows? But as my pop said - "Can't means won't"! So here we go!

"This is MY year", so a selfie project sounds perfect. Nervous - I've never done one, but excited to learn! 52 sounds do-able as I sit here watching snow fall. But when life cranks up, who knows? But as my pop always said - "Can't means won't", so here we go!

what a wonderful project for 2012. I already have the link in my sidebar and began taking a daily self-p beginning Jan.1. This is going to be so interesting. I have wanted to do this for SOSOSOSOSO long and now I am doing it. While visiting the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore on the 28t of December, I saw an exhibit of 364 self portraits...tiny like small school day pictures. Right then I knew I wanted to do it and then I found you. I am so very happy to be here. Hugs, and a happy new year. genie

Hmmm. I love that you're hosting this project. Found you through Genie's blog. I just finished a self-portrait class - You Are Your Own Muse. It was a blast, truly. I'm going to consider making this project a commitment. I make it a habit of doing a lady's room selfie each time I visit the local art museum. I have a pretty good collection going! Wishing you a joyful 2012. Cheers!

Hi Christy. Your project was mentioned on several bloggers I follow, I got intrigued and here I am. I've shot selfies before, so that does not intimidate me, although you have set a VERY high bar with your 2011 series. Still, I'd like to join this group, for the sharing and the learning. But I don't like making quantity commitments when it looks like I'll be on the road a lot, especially behind China's Great Firewall that does not allow me access to social media, including blogs. Nonetheless, if you can allow a sporadic participant, count me in. My email: viewthrumygloballens (at) gmail (dot) com. Thanks. I look forward to the fun.

I'd like to join if I may! I feel that appearing in a photo I have taken of myself will seem rather strange, but I like a challenge and it will be interesting to meet myself as I am and not as I think I am! This may sound strange, but it happens as the years go by!

I was thinking just a few weeks ago that I wanted to challenge myself to take self-portraits this year--and then I forgot all about it. Saw this on a friend's blog today and I'm excited to join in! I hate seeing myself in photos, but I want to face this fear and to grow! --Sadee @ a Picturebook Life

I just came across this project 5 minutes ago and I'm in! I'm turning 30 this Friday so when you wrote about turning 30 this year and having that as the number, well that decided it for me :-) I'm going to shoot for 30 but who knows? Maybe I'll get 49 since I've already missed a few weeks!

I am learning to like myself at 43. This is a year of new beginnings for me. I'd like to join this group and challenge myself to take more shots than 1 per month, and maybe even make it past 43. My email is iscurcio@gmail,comCheers

i found this group on flickr. i'm currently doing a 52 week project with focus52, but so far all of my shots have been selfies - not at all intentionally. i'm in for this project, though not sure i'll be able to do a selfie a week. life gets away from me sometimes... very excited!

Just found this project and definitely into participating :) February is a perfect month for me to start, too, because I've just made a lot of changes in my life... Anyway, can't wait to get started :)

Just learned about this challenge from a fellow-painter.Have never done anything like this before, but would love to try my hand at self-portraits!By the way...I am your 400th blog follower now! :)♥♥♥MaryMixed-Media Map Art